Although forest fires are not unusual in Greece, local media say these are bigger than in recent years.

Smaller blazes had started in Koropi, near Athens, and on the island of Evia.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Greece has requested help from his country’s army and air force, as well as the European emergency response center. Two water-dropping planes had taken off from the country’s second largest city of Thessaloniki in the north to assist with the Athens blaze, he said.